By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN – A specialist in Geriatric and Perioperative Medicine, Dr. Samuel Ajayi, has urged the Nigerian healthcare sector to empower lower-cadre health workers as a strategic measure to reduce physician burnout and improve service delivery.
Dr. Ajayi made the call yesterday while serving as a panelist at an event organized by the Oyo State chapter of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria to mark the 2026 World Family Doctors Week at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
He observed that unlike their counterparts in developed nations, Nigerian doctors often undertake tasks that fall outside their core medical duties, a practice he identified as a significant factor in the declining quality of healthcare service.
Addressing the event’s theme, “Compassionate Care in a Digital World,” Dr. Ajayi acknowledged the necessity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern medicine but cautioned that it remains a tool rather than a replacement for clinical expertise.
“If a clinician is not good clinically, they cannot be good using AI,” he stated. “There is no substitute for face-to-face consultation. We must not lose touch in emphasizing this skill in our students.”
Contributing to the discourse on digital empathy, Dr. Kehinde Kuti emphasized that technology should not diminish the human connection essential to healing.
“You cannot give what you don’t have. If you are an empathetic doctor, the screen should not steal your ability to empathize,” Dr. Kuti remarked. She added that core medical values—building trust, clear communication, responsiveness, and genuine interest in the patient—remain paramount regardless of digital integration.
However, Dr. Ifedolapo Oloko raised an alarm regarding the declining enrollment of students in the medical profession, describing the trend as a “ticking time bomb” for the future of healthcare. She urged the government to implement policies that make the profession more attractive and improve the working environment.
Dr. Oloko also highlighted the critical issue of physician mental health, advising practitioners to recognize signs of fatigue. “When a doctor is tired, you should not hide it, because once you do, you become unsafe for yourself and the patients,” she warned.
On his part, Dr. Olaniyan Fatia advocated for the adoption of AI but cautioned resident doctors to exercise discretion, noting that AI-generated output is not infallible. He disclosed that the College of Medicine is currently working to integrate AI into its medical curriculum to ensure local students remain globally competitive.
The event concluded with the presentation of merit awards to the chairperson of the occasion, Professor Ike Ajayi, and other distinguished panel members.
